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Abstract:

A tool assembly is described herein. The tool assembly includes a housing
assembly that includes a first end, a second end, and an inner surface
that defines a cavity that extends between the first end and the second
end along a longitudinal axis. A rod assembly is slideably coupled to the
housing assembly and is orientated within the housing cavity such that a
portion of the rod assembly extends outwardly from the housing first end.
An impact assembly is positioned within the housing cavity and is
orientated between the rod assembly and the housing second end. The tool
assembly is operable in a first operating mode wherein the rod assembly
is movable with respect to the impact assembly, and a second operating
mode wherein the impact assembly contacts the rod assembly to move the
rod assembly outwardly from the housing.

Claims:

1. A tool assembly comprising: a housing assembly comprising a sidewall
comprising a first end, a second end, and an inner surface that defines a
cavity that extends between the first end and the second end along a
longitudinal axis; a rod assembly slideably coupled to said housing
assembly and orientated within said housing cavity such that a portion of
said rod assembly extends outwardly from the housing first end; and an
impact assembly positioned within said housing cavity and orientated
between said rod assembly and the housing second end, said impact
assembly configured to selectively contact said rod assembly to move said
rod assembly along the longitudinal axis, said tool assembly operable in
a first operating mode wherein the rod assembly is movable with respect
to the impact assembly, and a second operating mode wherein the impact
assembly contacts the rod assembly to move the rod assembly outwardly
from the housing.

2. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a mode
selector assembly for selectively contacting said impact assembly to
adjust an operation of said tool assembly between the first mode of
operation and the second mode of operation.

3. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein said impact
assembly is movable between a first position and a second position along
the longitudinal axis, said impact assembly is positioned at the first
position during the first mode of operation, and is movable between the
first position and the second position during the second mode of
operation.

4. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein, during the second
mode of operation, said rod assembly moves said impact member from the
first position to the second position.

5. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein said impact
assembly comprises an impact member comprising a forward end, an aft end,
and an inner surface that defines a bore that extends between the forward
end and the aft end along the longitudinal axis, wherein said forward end
comprises an opening that is coupled to said bore, said bore is
configured to receive said rod assembly therein.

6. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein said impact
assembly further comprises a cam assembly that is coupled to said impact
member to selectively provide access to the impact member bore.

7. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said cam assembly
is positionable between a first cam position wherein the cam assembly
prevents the rod assembly from being inserted into the impact member
bore, and a second cam position wherein the cam assembly allows the rod
assembly to extend into the bore.

8. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein said mode selector
assembly is configured to selectively position said cam assembly to
operate said tool assembly in the first operating mode or the second
operating mode.

9. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein, during the first
mode of operation, the cam assembly is orientated in the second cam
position to allow the rod assembly to extend into the impact member bore
with the impact member in the first impact member position.

10. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein, during the
second mode of operation, the rod assembly contacts the cam assembly to
move the impact member from the first position to the second position,
and the cam assembly moves from the first cam position to the second cam
position as the impact member moves to the second position to allow the
rod assembly to extend into the impact member bore such that the impact
member contacts the rod assembly to move the rod assembly along the
longitudinal axis.

11. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein said impact
assembly further comprises a biasing member coupled between the housing
second end and said impact member to bias said impact member towards said
housing first end.

12. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 7, wherein said rod assembly
comprises: a rod member comprising a first portion, a second portion, and
an outer surface extending between the first portion and the second
portion, the first portion extending outwardly from the housing first
end, the second portion orientated within the housing cavity and
configured to extends into at least a portion of the impact assembly; a
tool attachment removable coupled to the rod member; and a biasing member
coupled to the rod member and the housing assembly to bias the rod member
outwardly from the housing assembly.

13. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein said rod first
portion comprises an inner surface that defines a rod cavity that is
configured to at least partially receive the tool attachment therein.

14. A tool assembly comprising: a housing assembly comprising a cavity
that extends between a first end and a second end; a rod assembly
slideably coupled to said housing assembly and orientated within said
housing cavity such that a portion of said rod assembly extends outwardly
from the housing first end; an impact assembly positioned within said
housing cavity and movable between a first position and a second position
along a longitudinal axis; and a mode selector assembly coupled to said
housing and configured to selectively contact said impact assembly to
operate said tool assembly in one of a first operating mode and a second
operating mode, wherein said impact assembly is positioned at the first
position in the first operating mode, and the impact assembly is movable
between the first position and the second position to contact the rod
assembly in the second operating mode.

15. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 14, wherein said impact
assembly comprises an impact member comprising a forward end, an aft end,
and an inner surface that defines a bore that extends between the forward
end and the aft end along the longitudinal axis, said bore is configured
to receive said rod assembly therein.

16. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 15, wherein, during the
first operating mode, said rod assembly is partially inserted through
said impact assembly with the impact assembly in the first position.

17. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 16, wherein, during the
second mode of operation, said rod assembly moves said impact member from
the first position to the second position.

18. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 15, wherein said impact
assembly further comprises a cam assembly that is coupled to said impact
member to selectively provide access to the impact member bore.

19. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 18, wherein said cam
assembly is positionable between a first cam position wherein the cam
assembly prevents the rod assembly from being inserted into the impact
member bore, and a second cam position wherein the cam assembly allows
the rod assembly to extend into the bore.

20. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 19, wherein, during the
first mode of operation, the cam assembly is orientated in the second cam
position to allow the rod assembly to extend into the impact member bore
with the impact member in the first impact member position.

21. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 20, wherein, during the
second mode of operation, the rod assembly contacts the cam assembly to
move the impact member from the first position to the second position,
and the cam assembly moves from the first cam position to the second cam
position as the impact member moves to the second position to allow the
rod assembly to extend into the impact member bore such that the impact
member contacts the rod assembly to move the rod assembly along the
longitudinal axis.

22. A tool assembly in accordance with claim 19, wherein said mode
selector assembly is configured to selectively position said cam assembly
to operate said tool assembly in the first operating mode or the second
operating mode.

23. A method of assembling a tool assembly, said method comprising:
providing a housing assembly including a first end, a second end, and an
inner surface that defines a cavity that extends between the first end
and the second end along a longitudinal axis; slideably coupling a rod
assembly to the housing, the rod assembly at least partially positioned
within the housing cavity and orientated along the longitudinal axis such
that at least a portion of the rod assembly extends outwardly from the
housing first end; and slideably coupling an impact assembly to the
housing assembly, the impact assembly positioned within the housing
cavity and orientated between the rod assembly and the housing second
end, the impact assembly configured to selectively contact the rod
assembly to move the rod assembly along the longitudinal axis such that
the tool assembly is operable in a first operating mode wherein the rod
assembly is movable with respect to the impact assembly, and a second
operating mode wherein the impact assembly contacts the rod assembly to
move the rod assembly outwardly from the housing first end.

24. A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising coupling a
mode selector assembly to the housing assembly such that the mode
selector selectively contacts the impact assembly to operate the tool
assembly in one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode.

25. A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein the housing assembly
includes a first member, a second member, and an end cap, said method
further comprises: positioning the rod assembly within the first housing
member such that the rod assembly is orientated along the longitudinal
axis; coupling the second housing member to the first housing member such
that the rod assembly is at least partially encapsulated within the first
housing member; positioning the impact assembly within the second housing
member such that the impact assembly is orientated along the longitudinal
axis; and coupling the end cap to the second housing member such that the
impact assembly is encapsulated within the second housing member.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/485,042, filed May 11, 2011, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a tool assembly, and
more particularly, to a tool assembly that is operable between a tamping
mode of operation and a driving mode of operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] At least some known tamping tools include a tamping plate that is
coupled to a rod assembly. Known tamping tools are configured to enable
the user to lift the tamping tool above a ground surface and thrust the
tamping tool into the ground surface to impart an axial force to the
ground surface to facilitate compacting the ground surface. These tamping
tools require a high level of exertion from the user by requiring the
user to repeatedly lift the tamping tool above the ground to deliver the
compacting blow.

[0004] At least some known compaction tools includes a pneumatic assembly
and/or a gas powered engine that enables the compaction tools to vibrate
or bounce along the ground surface to facilitate compacting the ground
surface. These compaction tools require an air supply and/or fuel to
enable operation of the compaction tools, which increases an operational
cost of the compaction tool. In addition, known compaction tools are
heavy, and require significant effort from the use to control the
direction and operation of the compaction tool.

[0005] As such, it is desirable to provide a tool assembly that reduces
the effort of the user to compact a ground surface, and reduces an
operating cost over known compaction tools. The present invention is
aimed at the problem identified above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a tool assembly is
provided. The tool assembly includes a housing assembly that includes a
first end, a second end, and an inner surface that defines a cavity that
extends between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal
axis. A rod assembly is slideably coupled to the housing assembly and is
orientated within the housing cavity such that a portion of the rod
assembly extends outwardly from the housing first end. An impact assembly
is positioned within the housing cavity and is orientated between the rod
assembly and the housing second end. The impact assembly is configured to
selectively contact the rod assembly to move the rod assembly along the
longitudinal axis. The tool assembly is operable in a first operating
mode wherein the rod assembly is movable with respect to the impact
assembly and a second operating mode wherein the impact assembly contacts
the rod assembly to move the rod assembly outwardly from the housing.

[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a tool assembly is
provided. The tool assembly includes a housing assembly that includes a
cavity that extends between a first end and a second end, and a rod
assembly that is slideably coupled to the housing assembly. The rod
assembly is orientated within the housing cavity such that a portion of
the rod assembly extends outwardly from the housing first end. An impact
assembly is positioned within the housing cavity and is movable between a
first position and a second position along a longitudinal axis. A mode
selector assembly is coupled to the housing and is configured to
selectively contact the impact assembly to operate the tool assembly in a
first operating mode and a second operating mode. The impact assembly is
positioned at the first position in the first operating mode and is
movable between the first position and the second position to contact the
rod assembly in the second operating mode.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, a method of assembling a tool assembly
is provided. The method includes providing a housing assembly that
includes a first end, a second end, and an inner surface that defines a
cavity that extends between the first end and the second end along a
longitudinal axis. A rod assembly is slideably coupled to the housing.
The rod assembly is at least partially positioned within the housing
cavity and orientated along the longitudinal axis such that at least a
portion of the rod assembly extends outwardly from the housing first end.
An impact assembly is slideably coupled to the housing assembly. The
impact assembly is positioned within the housing cavity and orientated
between the rod assembly and the housing second end. The impact assembly
is configured to selectively contact the rod assembly to move the rod
assembly along the longitudinal axis such that the tool assembly is
operable in a first operating mode wherein the rod assembly is movable
with respect to the impact assembly and a second operating mode wherein
the impact assembly contacts the rod assembly to move the rod assembly
outwardly from the housing first end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the
following detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool assembly, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tool assembly shown
in FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the tool assembly
shown in FIG. 3, and taken along area 4;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an impact assembly that may
be used with the tool assembly shown in FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the impact assembly
shown in FIG. 5, and taken along line 6-6;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a rod assembly that may be used with
the tool assembly shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a plurality of tool attachments that
may be used with the tool assembly shown in FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 1 in
a first operating mode;

[0019] FIGS. 10-11 are schematic views of the tool assembly shown in FIG.
1 in a second operating mode;

[0020]FIG. 12 is another schematic view of the tool assembly, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the tool assembly
shown in FIG. 12, and taken along area 12; and,

[0022]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the impact assembly shown in
FIG. 13, and taken along line 14-14.

[0024] The exemplary apparatus and methods described herein overcome at
least some disadvantages of known compaction tools by providing a tool
assembly that enables a user to manually operate the tool assembly to
deliver an axial force to a ground surface. The tool assembly that is
selectively operable between a tamping mode wherein the tool assembly
impacts a first axial force to a ground surface, and a driving mode,
wherein the tool assembly imparts the first axial force and a second
axial force to the ground surface. In addition, the tool assembly
includes a rod assembly that is slideably coupled to a housing assembly,
and is configured to bias the housing assembly from the ground surface to
enable the user to operate the tool assembly in a reciprocating motion,
and to reduce an effort required to compact the ground surface over known
compaction tools. By providing a tool assembly that operates in a
plurality of operational modes, and that is operated in a reciprocating
motion, the effort required to impart a force to the ground surface is
reduced.

[0025] In general, the tool assembly 10 includes a rod assembly and an
impact assembly and is operable between a tamping mode and a driving
mode. In the tamping mode, the rod assembly moves axially along a
longitudinal axis with the impact assembly in a stationary position to
impart an axial force to a ground surface. In the driving mode, the rod
assembly moves imparts a first axial force to the ground surface and
engages the impact assembly to move the impact assembly along the
longitudinal axis to generate a second axial force. Upon reaching a
predefined axial location, the impact assembly disengages the rod
assembly, rapidly moves along the longitudinal axis, and strikes the rod
assembly to impart the generated second axial force to the rod assembly
and the ground surface.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool assembly 10. FIG. 2 is an
exploded perspective view of the tool assembly 10. FIG. 3 is a schematic
view of the tool assembly 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool
assembly 10 includes a housing assembly 12, a rod assembly 14 that is
slideably coupled to the housing assembly 12, and an impact assembly 16
that is slideably coupled to the housing assembly 12 and is configured to
selectively contact the rod assembly 14 to move the rod assembly 14
outwardly from the housing assembly 12. The housing assembly 12 includes
a sidewall 18 that includes an inner surface 20 that defines a cavity 22
that extends between a first end 24 and a second end 26 along the
longitudinal axis 28. The cavity 22 is sized and shaped to receive the
rod assembly 14 and the impact assembly 16 therein. The housing first end
24 defines an opening 32 that is coupled to the housing cavity 22 and is
sized and shaped to receive the rod assembly 14 therethrough.

[0027] The rod assembly 14 is at least partially positioned within the
housing cavity 22, and is movable along the longitudinal axis 28 such
that at least a portion of the rod assembly 14 extends outwardly from the
housing first end 24. The impact assembly 16 is positioned within the
housing cavity 22, and is orientated between the rod assembly 14 and the
housing second end 26 along the longitudinal axis 28. The impact assembly
16 is movable along the longitudinal axis 28 within the housing cavity
22.

[0028]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the tool assembly 10 in a first
operating mode. FIGS. 10-11 are schematic views of the tool assembly 10
in a second operating mode. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 9-12, in the
illustrated embodiment, the tool assembly 10 is configured to operate in
a plurality of operating modes including the first operating mode, i.e.,
a tamping mode 34 (shown in FIG. 9) and the second operating mode, i.e.,
a driving mode 36 (shown in FIGS. 10-11). In one embodiment, the tool
assembly 10 includes a mode selector 38 that is coupled to the housing
assembly 12 and is configured to selectively contact the impact assembly
16 to position the tool assembly 10 between the tamping mode 34 and the
driving mode 36.

[0029] In the tamping mode 34, the rod assembly 14 is movable along the
longitudinal axis 28 with respect to the housing assembly 12 and with
respect to the impact assembly 16. More specifically, in the tamping mode
34, the rod assembly 14 moves in a first direction, i.e. a forward
direction 40 (shown in FIG. 3) along the longitudinal axis 28, and in a
second direction, i.e. an aft direction 42 (shown in FIG. 3) that is
opposite the forward direction 40 along the longitudinal axis 28. In
addition, in the tamping mode 34, the rod assembly 14 moves along the
forward direction 40 and the aft direction 42 with the impact assembly 16
in a stationary position with respect to the housing assembly 12. During
the tamping mode 34, the user moves the housing assembly 12 in the
forward direction 40 to generate an axial force, represented by arrow 50,
that is imparted to a surface (not shown) from the tool assembly 10.

[0030] In the driving mode 36, the rod assembly 14 moves the impact
assembly 16 in the aft direction 42, and the impact assembly 16 contacts
the rod assembly 14 to move the rod assembly 14 in the forward direction
40. More specifically, during the driving mode 36, the rod assembly 14
engages the impact assembly 16 to move the impact assembly 16 in the aft
direction 42 a predefined aft distance 44 along the longitudinal axis 28.
When the impact assembly 16 reaches a predefined location 46 along the
axis 28, the impact assembly 16 disengages the rod assembly 14 and moves
in the forward direction 40 a predefined forward distance 48 with respect
to the rod assembly 14 to contact the rod assembly 14 to move the rod
assembly 14 in the forward direction 40. As the impact assembly 16
contacts the rod assembly 14, the impact assembly 16 imparts an axial
force 50 to the rod assembly 14 to drive the rod assembly 14 outwardly
from the housing assembly 12.

[0031]FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the tool assembly
10 taken along area 4 shown in FIG. 3. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, in
the illustrated embodiment, the housing assembly 12 includes a first
housing member 52, a second housing member 54 that is coupled to the
first housing member 52, and an end cap 56 that is coupled to the second
housing member 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing assembly 12
is formed from steel. Alternatively, the housing assembly 12 may be
formed from aluminum, a metal alloy, and/or any suitable material that
enables the tool assembly 10 to function as described herein. The first
housing member 52 includes a sidewall 58 that includes an inner surface
60 and an outer surface 62, and extends between a first end 64 and a
second end 66 along the longitudinal axis 28. The first end 64 defines
the housing first end 24. The first housing member 52 is configured to at
least partially receive the rod assembly 14 therein. The first end 64
includes a shoulder portion 68 that extends radially inwardly from the
inner surface 60. The shoulder portion 68 is configured to support the
rod assembly 14 within the first housing member 52 such that the rod
assembly 14 is maintained in alignment along the longitudinal axis 28.
The shoulder portion 68 includes an end surface 70 that is configured to
contact the rod assembly 14 to retain at least a portion of the rod
assembly within the housing assembly 12.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, a pedal assembly 72 is coupled to
the outer surface 62 of the first housing member 52. The pedal assembly
72 includes a support member 74 that is coupled to the first housing
member 52, and a pedal 76 that is pivotably coupled to the support member
74. In one embodiment, the pedal 76 is coupled to the support member 74
with a pin (not shown). Alternatively, the pedal assembly 72 may include
a spring (not shown) that is coupled to the pedal 76 and the support
member 74 to bias the pedal 76 towards the housing assembly 12. The pedal
76 is positionable between an extended position (not shown) wherein the
pedal 76 extends outwardly from the housing assembly 12, and a retracted
position 78, wherein the pedal 76 is orientated adjacent to the housing
outer surface 62. In the extended position, the pedal assembly 72 is
configured to impart an axial force from a user to the tool assembly 10
to assist the user in operating the tool assembly 10. In the illustrated
embodiment, the pedal assembly 72 is orientated near the housing first
end 24. Alternatively, the pedal assembly 72 may be orientated at any
suitable location along the housing outer surface 62 that enables the
tool assembly 10 to function as described herein.

[0033] The second housing member 54 is removably coupled to the first
housing member second end 66 and extends outwardly from the first housing
member 52 along the longitudinal axis 28. The second housing member 54 is
configured to receive the impact assembly 16 therein. The second housing
member 54 includes a sidewall 80 that includes an inner surface 82 and an
outer surface 84, and extends between a first end 86 and a second end 88
along the longitudinal axis 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the second
housing member inner surface 82 is configured to at least partially
receive the first housing member 52 therein. In one embodiment, the first
housing member outer surface 62 and the second housing member inner
surface 82 each include corresponding threaded surfaces 90 to facilitate
coupling the first housing member 52 to the second housing member 54.
Alternatively, the first housing member 52 may be coupled to the second
housing member 54 with a weld, a bolt, a pin, a fastener, an adhesive,
and or any suitable manner in which to couple the first housing member 52
to the second housing member 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the first
end 86 includes an end wall 92 that extends inwardly from the inner
surface 82 and is orientated substantially perpendicularly to the
longitudinal axis 28. The end wall 92 defines an opening 94 that is sized
and shaped to receive at least a portion of the rod assembly 14
therethrough. The end wall 92 is orientated to prevent the impact
assembly 16 from extending into the first housing member 52.

[0034] The end cap 56 is removably coupled to the second housing member
second end 88. The end cap 56 includes an inner surface 94 that is sized
and shaped to at least partially receive the second end 88 therein such
that a portion of the end cap 56 extends a distance 96 across the second
housing member outer surface 84. In one embodiment, the end cap 56 is
coupled to the second housing member 54 such that the overlap distance 98
is adjustable to adjust an axial force of the impact assembly 16. The end
cap inner surface 94 and the second end outer surface 84 each include
corresponding threaded areas 100 to facilitate coupling the end cap 56 to
the second housing member 54. Alternatively, the end cap 56 is coupled to
the second housing member 54 with a weld, a bolt, a pin, a fastener, an
adhesive, and/or any suitable manner.

[0035]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the rod assembly 14. With reference
to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, in the illustrated embodiment, rod assembly 14
includes a rod member 102 that extends along the longitudinal axis 28,
and a biasing element 104 that is coupled to the rod member 102 and is
configured to bias the rod member 102 in the forward direction 40 along
the longitudinal axis 28. In addition, the rod assembly 14 includes a
tool attachment 106 that is removably coupled to the rod member 102. In
the illustrated embodiment, the rod member 102 is formed from steel.
Alternatively, the rod member 102 may be formed from aluminum, a metal
alloy, and/or any suitable material that enables the tool assembly 10 to
function as described herein. In one embodiment, the biasing element 104
includes a spring. Alternatively, biasing element 104 may include a
hydraulic-type piston, a pneumatic-type piston, and/or any suitable
biasing assembly that enables the tool assembly 10 to function as
describe herein. In the illustrated embodiment, rod member 102 includes a
substantially circular outer surface 107 that includes a forward section
108, an aft section 110 that extends outwardly from the forward section
108, and middle section 112 that is orientated between the forward
section 108 and the aft section 110. The middle section 112 is orientated
within the housing cavity 22 and includes a flange 114 that extends
outwardly from the outer surface 107. The flange 114 is sized and shaped
to contact the housing shoulder portion 68 to prevent the middle section
112 from extending outwardly from the housing first end 24. In one
embodiment, the forward section 108 includes a first diameter 116, and
the aft section 110 includes a second diameter 118 that is less than the
forward section diameter 116. Alternatively, the aft section diameter 118
may be larger than, or equal to, the forward section diameter 116. In the
illustrated embodiment, the forward section 108 includes an inner surface
120 that defines an cavity 122 therein. The cavity 122 is sized and
shaped to receive the tool attachment 106 therein. In one embodiment, the
rod inner surface 120 and the tool attachment 106 each include
corresponding threaded surfaces 124 to facilitate coupling the tool
attachment 106 to the rod assembly 14. Alternatively, the tool attachment
106 may be coupled to the rod member 102 with a pin, a bolt, a weld, an
adhesive, and/or any suitable fastening device that enables the tool
assembly 10 to function as described herein. In one embodiment, the rod
assembly 14 also includes a stop member 125 (shown in FIGS. 1-2) that is
coupled to the forward section 108. The stop member 125 extends outwardly
from rod member outer surface 107 and is configured to contact the
housing first end 24 to prevent movement of the rod assembly 14 in the
aft direction 42 and to facilitate reducing an over-compression of the
biasing element 104. The stop member 125 is coupled to rod member 102
with one of a corresponding threaded surfaces (not shown), a pin, a bolt,
a weld, an adhesive, and/or any suitable fastening device that enables
the rod assembly 14 to function as described herein.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the aft section 110 extends through
biasing element 104 to enable rod member 102 to move along longitudinal
axis 28 in the forward direction 40 and the aft direction 42. The aft
section 110 is also sized and shaped to extend through second housing
member end wall 92 and into impact assembly 16. In one embodiment, the
aft section 110 includes a positioning member 126 that extends outwardly
from an axial face 128 of the aft section 110 along the longitudinal axis
28. The positioning member 126 is configured to engage the impact
assembly 16 when the tool assembly 10 is in the driving mode 36.

[0037] The biasing element 104 is orientated between the rod member flange
114 and the end wall 92 and is configured to bias the rod member 102 away
from the end wall 92 and towards the housing first end 24 along the
longitudinal axis 28 in the forward direction 40.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a plurality of tool attachments 106.
In the illustrated embodiment, the rod assembly 14 may include a
plurality of tool attachments 106 that are coupled to rod member 102. The
plurality of tool attachments 106 may include a digging bar 130, a wood
splitter 132, a lawn aerator 134, a tamper 136, and or any suitable
attachment.

[0039]FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the impact assembly 16.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the impact assembly 16 taken
along line 6-6 shown in FIG. 5. With reference to FIGS. 4-6, in the
illustrated embodiment, the impact assembly 16 includes an impact member
138, a cam assembly 140 that is coupled to the impact member 138, and a
biasing member 142 that is coupled between the impact member 138 and the
housing end cap 56. The biasing member 142 is configured to bias the
impact member 138 towards the rod assembly 14 in the forward direction 40
along the longitudinal axis 28. In one embodiment, the biasing member 142
includes a spring 144. Alternatively, the biasing member 142 may include
a hydraulic-type piston, a pneumatic-type piston, and/or any suitable
biasing assembly that enables the tool assembly 10 to function as
describe herein.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the impact member 138 includes a
substantially circular outer surface 146 and an inner surface 148, and
extends between a forward end 150 and aft end 152 along the longitudinal
axis 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the impact member 138 is formed
from steel. Alternatively, the impact member 138 may be formed from
aluminum, a metal alloy, and/or any suitable material that enables the
tool assembly 10 to function as described herein. The inner surface 148
defines a bore 154 that extends from the forward end 150 towards the aft
end 152 along the longitudinal axis 28. Moreover, the forward end 150
includes an opening 156 that is coupled to the bore 154, and the aft end
152 includes an inner wall 158 that at least partially defines the bore
154, and is spaced a distance 160 from the opening 156 along the
longitudinal axis 28. The bore 154 is sized and shaped to receive the rod
member 102 therein.

[0041] In one embodiment, the impact member 138 includes a groove 162 that
is defined along the outer surface 146. The groove 162 is sized and
shaped to receive a splined surface 164 that extends inwardly from the
housing inner surface 82 to prevent the impact member 138 from rotating
about the longitudinal axis 28.

[0042] The cam assembly 140 is coupled to the impact member 138 and is
configured to selectively provide access to the bore 154. The cam
assembly 140 includes a cam member 166 and a spring member 168 that is
coupled to the impact member 138 and the cam member 166 to bias the cam
member 166 outwardly from the impact member 138. The impact member 138
includes an opening 170 that extends inwardly from the impact member
outer surface 146. The opening 170 is sized and shaped to receive the cam
assembly 140 therein. The cam assembly 140 is positioned within the
opening 170 and is orientated along a transverse axis 172 that is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 28. The cam member
166 includes an inner surface 174 that defines a cam opening 176 that
extends through the cam member 166. The cam opening 176 is orientated
along the longitudinal axis 28, and is sized and shaped to receive the
rod member 102 therethrough.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the cam assembly 140 is movable
along the transverse axis 172 and is positionable between a first cam
position 178 (shown in FIG. 4) and a second cam position 180 (shown in
FIG. 9). In the first cam position 178, the cam member 166 is orientated
with respect to the impact member 138 such that the cam opening 176 is
not coaxially aligned with the impact member bore 154 and is offset from
the bore 154 such that the rod assembly 14 is prevented from extending
into the bore 154. In the first cam position 178, the cam member 166
contacts the rod member 102 such that a movement of the rod member 102
along the longitudinal axis 28 causes a movement of the impact assembly
16 along the longitudinal axis 28. Moreover, in the first cam position
178, cam inner surface 174 contacts positioning member 126 to align cam
member 166 with respect to rod member 102. In the second cam position
180, the cam member 166 is orientated with respect to the impact member
138 such that the cam opening 176 is coaxially aligned with the bore 154
to allow the rod member 102 to extend through the cam opening 176 and
into the impact member bore 154.

[0044] The impact assembly 16 is movable along the longitudinal axis 28
between a first position 182 (shown in FIG. 4) and a second position 184
(shown in FIG. 11). In the first position 182, the impact member 138 is
adjacent the second housing member end wall 92. In the second position
184, the impact member 138 is positioned a distance 186 from the end wall
92 along the longitudinal axis 28.

[0045] The housing sidewall 18 also includes a cam surface 188 that
extends inwardly from the housing inner surface 20 towards the impact
assembly 16. The cam surface 188 is positioned a distance 190 from the
housing end wall 92 along the longitudinal axis 28, and is sized and
shaped to move the cam assembly 140 from the first cam position 178 to
the second cam position 180 as the impact assembly 16 moves from the
first position 182 to the second position 184.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the tool assembly 10 also includes a
mode selector 38 that is coupled to the housing assembly 12 and is
configured to selectively position the cam assembly 140 in the first cam
position 178 or the second cam position 180. More specifically, the mode
selector 38 includes a selection member 192 that extends through the
housing sidewall 18 along the transverse axis 172, and is configured to
selectively contact the cam assembly 140. The selection member 192 is
orientated with respect to the second housing member end wall 92 such
that the selection member 192 is aligned with the cam assembly 140 with
the impact assembly 16 in the first position 182 to move the cam assembly
140 between the first cam position 178 and second cam position 180. The
selection member 192 includes a threaded outer surface 194 and is
rotatably coupled to the housing sidewall 18 such that a rotation of the
mode selector 38 in a first direction 196 about the transverse axis 172
extends the selection member 192 towards the impact member 138 and a
rotation of the mode selector 38 in a second opposite direction 198
retracts the selection member 192 away from the impact member 138. In
this manner, the user may position the tool assembly 10 in one of the
tamping mode 34 and the driving mode 36 by rotating the mode selector 38
in the first direction 196 or the second direction 198.

[0047] During operation in the tamping mode 34 (shown in FIG. 9), the mode
selector 38 extends into the housing cavity 22 to position the cam
assembly 140 in the second cam position 180 to enable the rod assembly 14
to extend through the impact member 138 with the impact member 138 in the
first position 182. More specifically, during the tamping mode 34, with
the cam assembly 140 in the second cam position 180, the impact member
138 remains stationary as the rod assembly 14 moves through the impact
member 138 in a reciprocating motion. In general, during operation in the
tamping mode 34, a user positions the tool assembly 10 with respect to a
supporting surface such as, for example, a ground surface, such that the
rod assembly 14 is initially in contact with the ground surface. The user
then applies an axial force 50 (shown in FIG. 3) to the housing assembly
12 in the forward direction 40 to move the housing assembly 12 towards
the ground surface. As the housing assembly 12 is moved towards the
ground surface, the rod assembly 14 extends into the housing cavity 22
and the rod assembly biasing element 104 generates an opposing force in
the aft direction 42 to bias the housing assembly 12 away from the ground
surface. In addition, the rod member 102 extends further into the impact
member 138 with the impact member 138 in the first position 182. The user
then releases the axial force to enable the rod assembly 14 to move the
housing assembly 12 away from the ground surface in the aft direction 42.
As the housing assembly 12 is moved in the aft direction 42, an axial
momentum of the housing assembly 12 causes the tool assembly 10 to lift a
distance above the ground surface to acquire an amount of potential
energy before again moving in the forward direction 40 towards the ground
surface due to gravity. As the tool assembly 10 moves in the forward
direction 40, the user again applies an axial force to the tool assembly
10 to contact the tool assembly 10 with the ground surface. As the rod
assembly 14 contacts the ground surface, the rod assembly 14 imparts an
axial force to the ground surface that is approximately equal to the
acquired potential energy and the axial force applied by the user. As the
rod assembly 14 contacts the ground surface, the rod assembly 14 also
biases the housing assembly 12 away from the ground surface such that the
tool assembly 10 recoils along the longitudinal axis 28 in the aft
direction 42. In this manner, the user operates the tool assembly 10 in a
reciprocating manner to apply an axial force to the ground surface.

[0048] During operation in the driving mode 36 (shown in FIGS. 10-11), the
mode selector 38 is substantially flush with the housing inner surface 20
such that the cam assembly 140 is positioned in the first cam position
178 with the impact member 138 in the first position 182. As the user
applies a first axial force to move the housing assembly 12 towards the
ground surface, the rod assembly 14 moves the impact assembly 16 from the
first position 182 to the second position 184 in the aft direction 42. As
the impact assembly 16 is moved in the aft direction 42, the impact
assembly biasing element 142 generates an increasing second axial force
that biases the impact assembly 16 towards the rod assembly 14. As the
impact member 138 is moved to the second position 184, the cam surface
188 moves the cam assembly 140 to the second cam position 180 such that
the cam assembly 140 disengages the rod assembly 14 and the impact member
138 moves towards the rod assembly 14 by the generated second axial
force. The impact assembly inner wall 158 then contacts the rod assembly
14 and imparts the generated second axial force to the rod assembly 14.
The rod assembly 14 imparts the generated second axial force to the
ground surface to deliver an impact blow to the ground surface that is
approximately equal to the second axial force. After the impact blow is
delivered to the ground surface, the rod assembly 14 biases the housing
assembly 12 in the aft direction 42 such that the tool assembly 10
recoils from the ground surface and such that the impact member 138 is
repositioned to the first position 182. In this manner, the user operates
the tool assembly 10 in a reciprocating manner to apply the first axial
force and the second axial force to the ground surface.

[0049]FIG. 12 is another schematic view of the tool assembly 10. FIG. 13
is an enlarged partial schematic view of the tool assembly 10 taken along
area 13 shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the impact
assembly 16 taken along line 14-14 shown in FIG. 13. In one embodiment,
the tool assembly 10 includes a handle assembly 200 that is coupled the
second housing member 54. The handle assembly 200 includes a pair 202 of
D-shaped members 204 that are coupled to housing outer surface 84, and
are configured to impart an axial force from the user to the rod assembly
14 housing assembly 12 during operation. The pedal assembly 72 includes a
support flange 206 that is coupled to the housing outer surface 84 and
includes a plurality of openings 208 that extend through the support
flange 206. Each opening 208 is sized and shaped to receive a pin (not
shown) therethrough to enable the user to selectively position the pedal
76 along the support flange 206.

[0050] In one embodiment, the rod assembly 14 includes at least one groove
210 that is defined along an outer surface 212 of the aft section 110.
The cam assembly 140 includes a corresponding groove 214 that is defined
along an outer surface 216 of the cam member 166. In the first cam
position 178 the cam groove 214 is aligned with the rod assembly groove
210 to enable the rod assembly 14 to extend into the impact member bore
154. In the second cam position 180, the cam groove 214 is not aligned
with the rod assembly groove 210 such that the rod member 102 is
prevented from extending through the bore 154. Alternatively, the cam
assembly 140 may include a pair of cam members 166 that are orientated on
opposite sides of the rod assembly 14.

[0051] The above-described apparatus and methods overcome at least some
disadvantages of known compaction tools by providing a tool assembly
includes a rod assembly that is slideably coupled to a housing assembly,
and is configured to bias the housing assembly from the ground surface to
enable the user to operate the tool assembly in a reciprocating motion,
and to reduce an effort require to compact the ground surface over known
compaction tools. In addition, the tool assembly that is selectively
operable between a tamping mode wherein the tool assembly impacts a first
axial force to a ground surface, and a driving mode, wherein the tool
assembly imparts the first axial force and a second axial force to the
ground surface. As such, By providing a tool assembly that operates in a
plurality of operational modes, and that is operated in a reciprocating
motion, the effort required to impart a force to the ground surface is
reduced.

[0052] Exemplary embodiments of a tool assembly and methods of assembling
the same are described above in detail. The systems and methods are not
limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather,
components of the apparatus and/or steps of the methods may be utilized
independently and separately from other components and/or steps described
herein. For example, the methods may also be used in combination with
other compacting devices, and are not limited to practice with only the
tool assembly as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can
be implemented and utilized in connection with many other digging and/or
compacting applications.

[0053] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,
including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art
to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or
systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of
the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples
that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended
to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements
that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they
include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences
from the literal language of the claims.

[0054] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention
may be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the
claims.